Historical Background
The Khoikhoi, San, and other indigenous Africans lived in southern Africa for thousands of years, although little is known of their history. In 1652, the Dutch established a provisions station at Cape Town. It supplied ships with fresh foods as they sailed around the tip of the continent. French Huguenot refugees joined the Dutch colony in 1688 and Germans came later. The colonists became known as Boers (farmers). They clashed at times with indigenous groups but stayed mainly in coastal areas. Britain gained formal possession of the Cape Colony in 1814. Dissatisfaction with British rule led many Boers to migrate to the interior between 1835 and 1848. Their migration, which they call the Great Trek, led to war with the indigenous Zulu, Xhosas, and other Africans. The Boers won most of the battles and took control of large tracts of land.
After the discovery of gold and diamonds in these Boer territories in the late 19th century, Britain annexed parts of the area. Tension erupted into the Boer War (1899–1902, also called the South African War), in which the Boers were defeated. In 1910, Britain combined its Cape and Natal colonies with the Boer republics of Orange Free State and Transvaal to create the Union of South Africa.
Following its election to power in 1948, South Africa’s National Party (NP) devised the apartheid system that separated the country’s population into racial groups: whites, blacks, coloreds (people of mixed race), and Indians. In 1961, the country gained independence from Britain and subsequently withdrew from the British Commonwealth over criticism of its racial policies. For the next three decades, South Africa was the scene of turmoil and violence. The African National Congress (ANC), first organized in 1912, was banned in 1960 for its communist views and antiapartheid activities. The ANC then launched, with other groups, an armed struggle against the government. Many ANC leaders, including Nelson Mandela, were jailed. In the 1970s and 1980s, international sanctions damaged the economy and isolated the country.
Frederik Willem (F. W.) de Klerk took office in 1989 and began to reform the government. He freed Mandela and other political prisoners, desegregated public facilities, and gave the ANC legal status. Mandela later suspended the ANC’s armed struggle and dropped its socialist ideology. Violent clashes between rival African groups, among other factors, threatened progress toward greater political change. However, most apartheid provisions were abolished in 1991, and negotiations for a new constitution began in 1992. Mandela and de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Despite sporadic violence, multiracial and multiparty elections were held peacefully in April 1994. Mandela was elected president and launched a Masakhane (Nguni for “Let us build together”) campaign. In 1996, a new constitution was ratified. It has an extensive bill of rights guaranteeing equality for all who live in South Africa. In 1999 national elections, the ANC won all but one seat needed for a two-thirds (constitutional) majority, and Thabo Mbeki took over the presidency as Mandela retired. Mbeki won reelection in 2004.
The challenges facing South Africa are formidable: insufficient housing, high unemployment, violent crime, huge wealth inequality, and a high rate of HIV infection. Nevertheless, new health clinics and water systems have been built, homes are under construction, the unemployed are receiving training, and all children now have access to education.
General Attitudes
South Africa’s complex transition from minority to majority rule has been painful at times. A slow pace of change in some aspects of the transition has frustrated many people. Money is scarce to pay for textbooks that teach more African history. Some Africans complain of job discrimination, while many whites disagree with attempts to require companies to hire more Africans. Mixed-race people often express a feeling of being left behind or marginalized in new planning. And, even as some whites are reaching out to others by improving access to job training or land, integrating neighborhoods, or learning about indigenous cultures, others continue to fear majority rule and oppose reform efforts. At the same time, many Africans are angry that whites are not giving up more of their wealth or moving faster to integrate society.
Despite these challenges, the majority of South Africans accept coexistence in their multiracial, democratic society and want to contribute their efforts to building it. Most people value their new economic opportunities and agree that South Africans must work together to achieve all the goals set forth in the constitution and to allow South Africa to capitalize on its natural wealth, its strong economy, and its diverse peoples.
Greetings
Of the numerous greetings used in South Africa, the English phrases Hello and Good morning are understood by most people. Afrikaans speakers say Goeie môre (Good morning). Young English speakers say Howzit (slang for “How are you?”) to friends. A more formal Good morning or Good afternoon is common among adults. The Zulu and
Swazis greet each other with Sawubona (literally, “I see you,” meaning “Hello”) or Kunjani (How are you?). An acceptable response to either is Yebo (Yes). The Xhosa greeting, Molo, and the Sotho phrase Dumela have similar meanings to Sawubona. On parting, most South Africans use a phrase that assumes a future meeting. In other words, people rarely say good-bye. Rather, one says See you in English, Tot siens (Till we see each other again) in Afrikaans, or something like the Sotho Sala gashi (Go well in peace).
South Africans shake hands when they greet, but the type of handshake differs between groups. Some use firmer, others lighter, shakes with one hand; many rural people use both hands. Close friends and relatives may hug. Sometimes African friends greet with an intricate triple handshake that involves interlocking the smallest fingers, clasping fists, and interlocking fingers again. African men may also hold hands when walking or conversing. Although friends use first names and nicknames, South Africans generally do not address strangers or older people by their first name. Professional titles or the equivalents to “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” and “Miss” are preferred. It is polite to call an older African “father” (Tata in Xhosa, Ntate in SeSotho, or Baba in Zulu) or “mother” (Mama in Xhosa and Zulu or Mme in Sesotho). Afrikaans-speaking people both white and of mixed race, refer to older males as “uncle” (oom) and older females as “auntie” (tannie).
Gestures
Africans and mixed-race people frequently use hand gestures in conversation. It is impolite to point at someone with the index finger, stand too close during conversation, or talk with one’s hands in the pockets. Africans use the right hand for handshakes, to pass objects, or to gesture. Receiving an object with cupped hands is polite. Some young people express “hello” or “good-bye” by extending the thumb and little finger up (folding all other fingers against the palm) and rocking the hand from side-to-side. Whites tend to use minimal hand gestures and are comfortable passing items with either hand.
Visiting
Visiting is an important social activity for most of South Africa’s groups. When possible, visits are arranged in advance, but unannounced visits among good friends or relatives are common, especially in areas where telephones are not accessible. South Africans are gregarious, hospitable, polite, and personally self-effacing. They enjoy conversing and socializing. Gender, ethnic, and age groups tend to socialize among themselves; association between such groups is typically more formal.
Etiquette varies widely between ethnic groups. Guests usually are served refreshments. In Indian homes, it is impolite to refuse these, and it is polite to accept second helpings if eating a meal. Among Africans, dinner guests are not expected to bring a gift. Whites will often bring something to drink (juice, wine, etc.). When guests leave, they usually are accompanied by their host to the gate, car, or street.
Eating
Whites generally observe the continental style of eating; the fork is in the left hand and the knife remains in the right. Africans more often eat meals with spoons or their fingers (depending on the food). It generally is not appropriate for adults to eat on the street unless eating ice cream or standing at a vendor’s stand. Eating alone is also rare. Dinner, usually eaten after 6 p.m., is the main meal. All South Africans enjoy a braai (barbecue), especially on the weekend. Beef and boerewors (spiced sausage) are usually featured at a barbecue.
Family
South Africa’s white families are small, live as a nuclear unit, generally are close-knit, and enjoy a good standard of living. Africans have strong extended family ties, even if nuclear units are not always able to live in the same household because of employment or education. Children are taught to respect their elders and obey their parents. Relatives play an important role in caring for children and providing aid to those in need.
Personal Appearance
Some rural Africans wear traditional clothing for special purposes or everyday attire. This may include a variety of headdresses and colorful outfits. They usually wear Western-style clothing on a daily basis. Rural women wear a scarf or other headdress with either a dress or a blouse and skirt. Urban African men wear pants, shirts, and sometimes suits, but rarely shorts. Urban African women wear both African and European fashions.
White South Africans wear Western-style clothing, usually made from lightweight cotton. They tend to be well dressed in public. Men wear suits or shirts and trousers. In rural areas, they may prefer shorts and knee socks. Women generally wear comfortable dresses or modest pants. Many Muslim women wear head coverings and other traditional Muslim attire. Indian women often wear a sari, a wraparound-type dress.
